Obstetricians must ask about domestic violence

Obstetricians should routinely ask patients about domestic violence as up to 20% of women seen at antenatal clinics may have experienced severe physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

A study group of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has recommended that teaching about domestic violence should be an integral part of training for obstetricians, and their ability to address this delicate issue should be evaluated in examinations. The report, Violence against …